A SOFT drinks firm has signed up with Glasgow Life for the first partnership of its kind in the UK.

Irn-Bru maker A.G. Barr, the firm behind Strathmore Scottish Spring Water, has agreed a three-year, six-figure, deal with the council arm's length organisation.

It means the Cumbernauld-based company will provide free soft drink at Glasgow Life events such as the Mela and Great Scottish Run.

Barr's links with the city date back more than 100 years.

In 1887, Robert Fulton Bar established the Glasgow division of the company which has flourished with 12 cans of Irn-Bru being sold every second.

Barr already sponsors the Commonwealth Games and the new deal means it will provide free water for Glasgow Life sporting events as well as drinks for other events.

Glasgow Life chairman Archie Graham said: "We are delighted one of our biggest and best firms has teamed up with us at a time when more people than ever before are using our world-class services.

"From our outstanding sports facilities such as the Emirates Arena, to our famous museums and year-long calendar of events, we deliver the very finest opportunities for sport, culture and learning."

Jonathan Kemp, Barr's commercial director, said: "This partnership feels very natural for our business - a business that has been part of Glasgow for well over 100 years. We hope this new partnership will play a part in retaining some of the magic of the Games as a legacy for the city.

"We are hugely proud of our long standing Glasgow heritage and through our portfolio of brands we look forward to providing on-going support to the many exciting events that will be staged in the city over the next three years."

The company provided water for 2400 young people who took part in the Glasgow Youth Games at the Emirates in April.

Mr Graham said: "This partnership is built on strength and the people of Glasgow will be the main beneficiaries."